April 10, 2009

Know of any cool bars near Merriweather Post Pavilion?

I know, I know -- asking if there are any cool bars in Columbia is like asking if there are freeze pops in hell.

However, I thought I'd toss it out there, because a friendly (I assume) gentleman (I assume) named Todd Willis sent me this e-mail yesterday:

I was wondering if you know of any good bars or lounges(the divier the better) close to Merriweather that don’t include the likes of P.F. Changs or Clydes. I live in DC and will be heading there for a concert in August and we will be staying the night in a hotel about 5 miles from there. I am trying to figure out something do after the show.

I do have one or two suggestions ...

The Pub Dog (8865 Stanford Blvd.) is probably the best bet. Two icy mugs of locally brewed draft beer for $4 is quite the deal. And the atmosphere ain't bad, either. Best spot in Columbia for beer drinkers, me think(ers).

Second to the Pub Dog, I would recommend the Greene Turtle (8872 McGaw Road). It's a local chain sports bar, but at least it's locally owned and has a party vibe.

Just make sure you bring a GPS or some really good directions. If you're not careful, you will get lost in the labyrinth of shopping plazas and cookie cutter houses that is Columbia.

Sam,
such a Columbia hater!! Where does this rage come from?
The "diveist" bars are located in the village centers. I would suggest the
Columbia Ale House in Long Reach,
Sonoma's in Owen Brown,
Zapata's in Harper's Choice

I 2nd Frisco Grille. Its a couple doors down from Dog Pub and has a great beer selection and good food

I second Iron Bridge if you looking to impress someone? Wife/girlfriend/date. Nottinghams if your hanging with the fellas and wanna catch a game on TV afterwards.
Sam, I understand the Green Turtle is looking to expand nationally as a franchase? I heard this on a local business report. Can you confirm? Would be nice to see another local business grow.

The Phoenix in Ellicott City is a little ways away from Merriweather, but it has a nice dive-y atmosphere. I witnessed a fight there last summer, during which two patrons were invited to "take it outside." They took up the invitation and continued their work on the street. Conveniently, they continued on front of a window, which provided us with a decent view of the proceedings without having to give up our seat at the booth. I never got a chance to thank them for the entertainment.

Hey Sam and ESH, you're not implying that if you aren't located within the city limits you can't possibly be cool? That if you are located within the boring, safe suburbs it usually automatically disqualifies anyone or anything from consideration for coolness? Although we don't live in the city, not all of us drive minivans/SUVs, have 2.5 children and listen to Mix 106.5. Plus we do have a bennie: we can go out at night without fearing for our lives.

I've always had such a bad time getting in and out of concerts at Merriwether that pre- or post-gaming never even occurred to me. You can tailgate there, right? That seems like it would be the best option, especially in August.

But for HoCo bars, my favorite is Ellicott Mills Brewery in Old Ellicott City. Recently tried Diamondback Tavern and it wasn't bad. I truly can't think of any good spots in Columbia. Nottingham's makes me angry -- where do they get off with that cover charge?!

I know, Sam. Sorry. Just grumpy today. Lost my sense of humor somewhere on the way to work. The 'burbs can suck the life out of you if you aren't one of the minivan/SUV-drivin', 2.5 kids raisin', 106.5 listenin' drones and you aren't careful...

Now that I'm temporarily back in HoCo, I have to laugh at a good portion of these posts. I grew up in EC and this county sure isn't what it used to be. I know, what is?

I agree w/ Pub Dog and Victoria Gastro Pub as good spots, but disagree that Sonoma's is even a little bit dive-y. I spent lots of Tues nights there when I was doing marketing/merch sales for The Grilled Lincolns. Sonoma's bartenders are attentive, they have good drink specials and a decent menu.

When I used to work on Brokenland Pwky, I went to Sonoma's quite a bit. The service there was always good and friendly. I'd recommend that. Sorta tough to find if you're not familiar (behind the McDonalds sorta).

Nottinghams. Blah.

Pub Dob wasn't open when I was working in Columbia, but I like the one in Fed Hill so I'm sure they did a good job over in the 'burbs too.

Hi its Todd. Let me first clarify the situation for everyone. We are heading up to Merriweather for the Phish show in August. My buddies and I have a couple of hotel rooms so nobody has to drive home that evening.
I have been trying to find a couple of "local" bars in the area but all I am finding are chains. If anybody knows a couple of chill local hangouts that are within $10-15 cab ride of the pavillion please let me know. It doesnt have to have sawdust and peanut shells on the floor but I am not looking for Clydes or a quite wine bar.

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About Erik Maza

Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "simulated sex with a potted palm tree." Before The Sun, he was a reporter at the Miami New Times. He's also written for Miami magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Gainesville Sun. Got tips? Gripes? Pitches? He's reachable at erik.maza@baltsun.com. Click here to keep up with the dumb music he's listening to.

Midnight Sun covers Baltimore music, live entertainment, and nightlife news. On the blog, you'll find, among other things, concert announcements, breaking news, bars closings and openings, up-to-date coverage of crime in nightlife, new music, round-the-clock coverage of Virgin Mobile FreeFest, handy guides on bars staying open past 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve and those that carry Natty Boh on draft. Recurring features include seven-day nightlife guides, Concert News, guest reviews of bars and concerts, Wednesday Corkboard, and photo galleries, as well as reader-submitted photos. Thanks for reading.